1998 Toyota Corolla Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 8%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Toyota Corolla, 8% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1998 Toyota Corolla's driver side seat belt failed at the latch area where it hooks in . The trunk lock broke inside the cylinder and the drivers side door handle broke inside. The seat belt warning light illuminated and flashed although all the occupants had their seat belts buckled.”
NHTSA complaint #10150826, filed 2006-02, 91,000 miles“The seat belt indicator light illuminated. The independent mechanic determined that the seat belt sensor may have malfunctioned and caused the light to illuminate.”
NHTSA complaint #10051995, filed 2004-03, 21,000 miles“On 11/7/2006 I was involved in an accident where my vehicle 98 Toyota Corolla rear ended a cement truck. The speed at which my car was traveling was 25-35 MPH. The air bags did not deploy, my seat belt did not lock and because of this my chest hit the steering wheel. I visited the urgent care the same day and as a result of the accident I suffered strained ligaments and muscles in my neck and back and a bruise and scrape on my chest. I am still suffering.”
NHTSA complaint #10173788, filed 2006-11“Was in an accident going 45mph a truck ran a stop sign and I hit them in the side my son was in the passenger seat and his seat caught when I pressed the brakes but released when we hit the other vehicle airbag deployed but did not inflate. The seatbelt also released when we hit the ditch. He hit his head on the winshield 2 times and is now dealing with post concussion syndrome. I called Toyota and they said they found no defects and that the safety system did what it was suppose to. ( DOT number: tire size: p185/65r14 )”
NHTSA complaint #717071, filed 2000-01“The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that both the driver and the passenger side seat belts would not retract after being utilized. In addition, the passenger side seat belt failed to retract at all. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000. Updated 4/30/15 the consumer stated the seat belts were replaced. The consumer stated the reason the seat belt failure, was because prior to purchasing the vehicle, it was in an accident; updated 05/07/15”
NHTSA complaint #10680066, filed 2015-01, 185,000 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 8 | 4% |
| 2020 | 8 | 3% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 11 | 8% |
| 2017 | 11 | 6% |
| 2016 | 26 | 12% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 15 | 6% |
| 2013 | 12 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 2% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 13 | 1% |
| 2009 | 11 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 11 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 14 | 3% |
| 2003 | 38 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 6% |
| 1998 | 17 | 8% |
| 1997 | 38 | 28% |
| 1996 | 18 | 14% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 25 | 15% |
| 1993 | 14 | 11% |
| 1992 | 9 | 14% |
| 1991 | 13 | 18% |
| 1990 | 4 | 15% |
| 1989 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 7 | 27% |
| 1987 | 3 | 21% |
| 1984 | 4 | 67% |
| 1982 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Corolla
61 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsTires
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEquipment
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology